John Lithgow has addressed criticism surrounding his decision to join HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter adaptation, pushing back against calls for him to step away from the project while describing author J.K. Rowling’s views on transgender issues as “ironic and inexplicable.”
Speaking at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, where he was promoting his new film Jimpa, Lithgow said he approached the controversy with seriousness and reflection. While acknowledging the concerns raised by Rowling’s public statements on gender identity, the actor emphasized that he ultimately chose to remain involved in the series, in which he is set to portray Albus Dumbledore.
“I take the subject extremely seriously,” Lithgow said, according to Variety. He praised Rowling for creating a literary universe that centers on moral responsibility and empathy, noting that the Harry Potter books consistently grapple with themes of “good versus evil” and “kindness versus cruelty.” Against that backdrop, he added, “I find her views ironic and inexplicable.”
Lithgow’s remarks underscore a distinction he repeatedly emphasized: his interpretation of the Harry Potter canon as fundamentally rooted in inclusion, contrasted with Rowling’s real-world positions. “In the Potter universe, you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity,” he said. “She’s written a meditation on kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is a beautiful role.”
The actor also clarified the nature of Rowling’s involvement in the television project. According to Lithgow, he has never met the author, and she is not creatively involved in the day-to-day production of the series. That separation factored into his decision to accept the role, though he admitted it was not an easy one. “It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job,” Lithgow said. “I chose not to do that.” He framed the pressure to withdraw as counterproductive, suggesting that disengagement would do little to advance meaningful dialogue or change.
Lithgow’s comments mark a sharper stance than he took in earlier interviews. Last April, in a conversation with The Times, he appeared more puzzled than critical, saying he struggled to understand why Rowling’s views had become central to discussions about the series. At the time, he expressed curiosity about how Rowling herself had processed the backlash and suggested he might one day want to speak with her directly.
Now, Lithgow appears more settled in his position. He also spoke candidly about the long-term commitment involved in portraying Dumbledore, revealing that he has signed on for an eight-year run. “I signed a contract, I will be playing Dumbledore for the next eight years,” he said. “I absolutely have to keep at it.” With a wry sense of humor, he added that the timeline effectively commits him to working into his late eighties: “I felt: ‘Wow! That means I will live to be 88.’ I have that in writing.”
Beyond Harry Potter, Lithgow’s current work reflects a continued engagement with stories centered on identity and generational change. In Jimpa, directed by Sophie Hyde, he plays an elderly gay man who came out later in life. The film explores family dynamics through his relationship with his daughter, played by Olivia Colman, and her nonbinary teenage child, portrayed by Aud Mason-Hyde. The role, Lithgow suggested, aligns closely with his broader interest in projects that examine how people come to understand themselves over time.
As debate around the Harry Potter franchise continues, Lithgow’s position places him among a growing number of artists who are attempting to navigate the space between cultural legacy and contemporary accountability. Rather than rejecting the material outright or ignoring criticism, he has opted for a more nuanced stance, one that acknowledges harm, questions its source, and still claims ownership over the work itself.
Whether that approach will satisfy critics remains uncertain. What is clear is that Lithgow is prepared to stand by his decision, framing his involvement not as an endorsement of Rowling’s views, but as a commitment to a story he believes continues to resonate for reasons that extend beyond its creator.
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